A one-off version of the Bugatti Chiron hypercar has sold for a record price at RM Sotheby’s Paris auction.
A winning bid of €9,792,500 – equivalent to £8,695,000 – secured the unique Profilée model.
This more than doubles the previous record price paid for a Chiron, and makes it the most expensive new car ever sold at auction.
One for the record books
Revealed in December 2022, the Profilée was originally conceived as a subtler version of the handling-focused Chiron Pur Sport. Bugatti customers apparently wanted the extra performance of the Pur Sport, but without the dramatic fixed rear wing.
Bugatti began work on a design with a sweeping tail, plus the enhanced power output. While the engineering process was underway, however, it became apparent that all 500 build slots for the Chiron had already been accounted for. This meant the Profilée would never enter production.
Despite this, Bugatti opted to create a single ‘pre-series’ Chiron Profilée, offering it for sale directly through the RM Sotheby’s auction. As such, the Profilée is the final new Chiron to be sold.
Limited to 236mph
The Profilée has a smoother rear spoiler, with a large cut-out section that allows hot air to escape. This produces enough downforce to keep the 1,500hp Bugatti on the ground at high speeds, and works with a revised splitter and front grille.
In line with the Chiron Pur Sport, the Profilée gains a 200rpm increase for the W16 engine’s rev limit. This allows for a top speed limited to 236mph, plus a 0-180mph time of just 12.4 seconds.
It makes the Profilée the fastest-accelerating version of the Chiron, adding to its list of achievements.
Bespoke inside and out
Bugatti opted for a two-tone exterior colour scheme, with exclusive ‘Argent Atlantique’ paint matched with blue-tinted exposed carbon fibre. The car’s alloy wheels are also unique, mimicking the Chiron’s horseshoe-shaped front grille.
More than 2,600 metres of woven leather strips can be found inside the Profilée, each one applied by hand.
All of this ensures the Profilée’s very lucky – and indeed very wealthy – new owner owns a truly one-off piece of Bugatti history.
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